Tips for Prepping for Your Elementary School Art Show

Prepping for an elementary school art show can feel like organizing a mini-museum exhibit… on top of your already-full teaching plate. From mounting hundreds of masterpieces to making the space look gallery-worthy, it’s a lot. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone—your students can be your best assistants!

Take the Stress Out of Your Art Show: Let Your Students Help!

Getting your students involved in art show prep isn’t just helpful, it’s a valuable learning experience. They gain insight into what it takes to curate an exhibit, how to present artwork professionally, and how to share their creativity with an audience. Plus, it builds pride, ownership, and excitement for the big event!

Planning your art classes in the weeks leading up to the big event to focus on Art Show preparation will save you time and be a meaningful community-building experience. Here are 3 practical ways to include students in the process:

🖼️ Mounting & Labeling Artwork - Teach students how to neatly mount their own work using rulers and glue sticks. Younger students can help match artwork to pre-printed name labels, while older students can write their own title cards that include the title of the piece, their name, date, and the medium.

✂️ Creating Signage & Posters - Let students take the reins on creating welcome signs, room labels, or directional arrows ("This way to the 5th grade gallery!"). Younger students can color pre-made signs.

🧹 Set-Up Squad and Clean-up Crew - While small groups work on signs and posters,  select students can help with attaching artwork to bulletin board paper and preparing the displays, and of course, helping to clean up any scraps, tape, or tools.

🎨 Roll up the bulletin board paper and store it until you're ready to hang it for the big night.

Tips and Tricks for Displaying Student Artwork

Choose Your Space

Start by deciding where your art show will take place. You can display artwork in one central area—like the gym, cafeteria, or library—or spread it throughout the school.

Hallway Displays Made Easy

School hallways are a popular choice since many already have bulletin boards or usable wall space. To hang artwork easily, all you really need are supplies like:

• A staple gun

• Masking or painter’s tape

• Glue sticks

• Double-sided tape

• Putty or blue tack

If you're hanging directly on walls, here’s a quick method:

1. Stick masking tape horizontally across the wall.

2. Use hot glue to attach bulletin board paper to the tape.

3. Then, hot glue small dots on the corners of the artwork and place it on the paper.

   
   

No Walls? No Problem!

If your space doesn’t have wall access, try these creative solutions from fellow art teachers:

• Dividers/Partitions: Arrange them around the room to create gallery-style spaces.

• Folded Cafeteria Tables: Stand them upright to display work on both sides.

• Paper Panels from the Ceiling:

  • Use binder clips and hang long pieces of bulletin board paper from the ceiling tiles.

  • If ceilings are too high, stretch string or wire across the space using eye hooks.

  • Drape paper over the string with art displayed on both sides.

  • Let the paper touch the ground, and clip the bottom with heavy-duty paper clips to keep it from swaying.

More Clever Display Ideas

• Deer Netting: Stretch it between two pillars and use clothespins to clip on the artwork.

• Foam Boards: Tape two together so they stand upright on tables. Assemble them ahead of time in your classroom and fold them for easy transport.

• Sack Painted Boxes: Attach artwork to every side of each box for an all-around display.

A Few More Ideas for Making Your Art Show a Success

Remember your main goals: you're showcasing student artwork and creating a fun, welcoming event for families. Encouraging family attendance and involvement makes the show even more special. Here are some ideas to help:

• Pair the Art Show with another school event like Science Night, Open House, a school play, or a musical performance.

• Set up a photo backdrop with sa collaborative student artwork for families to take pictures together.

• Add interactive elements like hands-on art stations, a collaborative mural, or “make & take” tables for families to create art together.

• Invite local vendors to sell food or drinks—this adds to the festive atmosphere and keeps everyone energized!

You Got This!

Planning an elementary art show can feel like a big task—but with a little organization, some creative display solutions, and help from your amazing students, it becomes a truly rewarding experience. Whether it’s a hallway gallery or a full-on schoolwide showcase, your art show is a chance to celebrate your students’ hard work and creativity in a way they’ll never forget.

For some great ideas for

themes and projects for

your next Art Show,

check out Artful Lessons

here.